Go-cart.



J. HUDRYl GO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 30, 1914.

1,179,265. Partend Feb. 1, 1916.

TSHEETS-SHEET l.

l. HUDRY.

GO-CART.

APPUCATION F1LED DE :.30,1914.

1,170,265. Patented 119111, 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4f.

L HUDRY.

GO-CART.

IED DEC.30,1914.

Patented Feb. l, 1916.

'1. HUDRY.

C10-CART.

AvvLlcMloN man DEc.3o,1914.

Patented Feb. 1, 19x16.

1. HUDRY.

Go-cAm.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.30| 1914.

1,170,265. Patented F0111, 1916.

, 7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

JOHN HUDBY, 0F HAZ-LETON, PENNSYLVANIA.

GO-CABT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

Application led December 30, 1914. Serial No. 879,671.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, Joux- Honky, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hazleton, in the county of Luzerne and State of and useful Improvement 1n (lo-Carts, of which the following is a act description.

This invention relates to childrens carriages or go-carts, and the object of the invention is to provide a go-cart which may readily be folded up into small compass for transportation or packing purposes, an which :is capable of being used as a go-cart to be wheeled upon the street, or may be conveniently used indoors as a crib; and also to provide a go-cart having a seat arrangement which may be placed at either end of the vehicle, and which may conveniently and readily be adjusted from a horizontal to an inclined or reclining position so as to change the occupant from a sitting position to a reclining or lying position` after having fallen asleep, and without raising or lifting the oc- Pennsylvania. have invented a certain new cupant from the seat and without disturbing the occupant suiiiciently to awaken it.

The invention consists in a go-cart, having a running gear, comprising inverted box-like or channel axles, in which are pivotally and slidably mounted stub-axles for the wheels adapted to be shifted in said axles so as to bring the wheels into a folded condiv tion under` the body of the vehicle and sub.- stan'tially within the width of the body; a body mounted upon said running gear, with interposed springs, and having folding extension sides and ends; a'shiftable and adjustable seat; a folding, shift-able hood; and a foldable handle, all substantially as I will proceed now more particularly to set forth and finally claim.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the vehicle in set up condition for use. Fig. 2- is an end view, on a larger scale, broken away at the top. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of the running gear, one of the wheels being removed. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail, on a larger scale, showing one form of spring mounting between the body .and axles, and the wheel mounting. Fig. 5 is a detail side view, on a larger scale, of one of the wheel mountings and full, clear, and ex.

- downwardly upon the showing the locking bar wheels in position of us Fig. 6 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of a portion of one of the axles, showing one of the wheel mountings and the locking bar. Fig. 7 is a Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the go-cart of Fig. 8, showing one of the extension sides folded down.v Fig. 11 is a perspective View,

with the hood removed, and showing a modl-f fied arrangement of spring supports for the body. Fig. 12 is a perspective view, showing another manner of hinging the extension sides so they may be folded either inward or outward. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the go-cart of Fig. 12 with the extension sides and ends and the handle folded inwardly. Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are partial end vlews, on a larger scale, showing different forms of springs for connecting the body with the axles.

The running gear com rises the front axle 1 and rear axle 2, pre erably of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross section and having in their opposite sides slots 3 and 4, respectively,4 extending from near the ends toward the centers of the axles. Fitted to slide in the box-like or channel axles are wheel-carrying stub-axles, comprising substantially rectangular blocks 5 at their inner ends, and projecting axle-nibs 6 at their outer ends, the said blocks having their upper inner corners rounded, as at 7 to permit the stub-axles to be turned down to folding position, and perforated transversely 1 to receive bolts or pins 8 passing through the slots 3 and 4 for slidably securing the stub-axles to the main axles 1 and 2. The stub-axles of the front and rear main axles 1 and 2 are connected by longitudinal side rods 9 bent inwardly, as at 10, to afford clearance for the wheels, and terminating in upwardly bent ends 11 passing through openings 12 in the stubaxles and projecting beyond the upper surface of the blocks 5 of for securing thev I 2, as by eye-*bolts jointed stays,

said stub-axles and adapted to enter notches 13 1n the upper ends of the 'mam axles when the wheels are brought to operative position,

yand serving to prevent inward movement of the stub-axles under lateral strains of the wheels 14 secured upon the nibs 6 of the stub-axles in any usual or approved manner.

Secured upon the outside of the rear axle 15, is a rock-bar 16 provided with a centrally located operating handle 17, and having its ends bent substantially at right angles, as at 18, and terminating in offstanding, preferably fiattened, portions 19, adapted to engage the underside of the stub-axles upon the inner side of and adjacent to the upwardly bent ends l1 of the side rods 9 when the wheels are in operative position, and thereby securely lock the stub-axles and wheels in position of use, and adapted to be withdrawn from such locking position by turning the rock-bar when it is desired to fold the wheels in under the body of the vehicle. In order to afford additional bearings for the locking bar 16, the bolts 8 for securing the stub-axles in place on the rear axle 2, are ordinary eyebolts, the eyes of said bolts engagingv and capable of sliding upon said locking rock- The body comprises a lower portion having fixed sides' and ends 2O and 21, respectively, and a bottom 22, and folding extension sides and ends 23 and 24 respectively, hinged to the upper edges of the fixed sides and ends 20 and`21. The extension ends 24 are hinged to fold inwardly, and as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the extension sides are hinged to fold outwardly against the sides of the lower body portion, while in Figs. 12 and 13, the extension sides 23 are hinged to the body so as to be capable of being folded outwardly againstthe sides of the body or inwardly over the body. The extension sides and ends, when in extended or up position, may be locked in such position by any suitable fastening means, such as turn-buttons 25, on one of said members passing through slots 26 in the other of said members, as shown in Figs. 8, 10 and 11, where the extension sides fold outwardly only; or by an ordinary sliding bolt or latch 27 fitted in the upper cornersvof the sides and engaging a keeper or opening in the corner posts of the ends 24, as shown in Fig. 12, wherein the extension sides may be folded either inward or outward. The rear end extension 24' may be additionally braced upon the inside of the body, as by means of as shown in Fig. 1, or by any other suitable well known form of brace or stay' rod which will permit the infolding of the end. Spring catches 23 are secured to the bottom of the body and project therefrom so as to engage the edges of the extension sides when in folded position, to hold said sides and prevent them from swinging or Hopping against the sides of the body.'

rlhe `bottom of the body, at the front and rear, is formed on an inward curve to provide clearance for the wheels, so that the wheels may be inset under the body clear of the sides in order to prevent the outwardly folding sidesI from coming into contact with the wheels when they are folded down upon the sides of the body. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, these inward curved portions, as at 28, extend inward from the sides only a sufficient distance to accommodate the wheels, while as shown in Fig. 11` they may extend entirely across the body, as at 29. By thus insetting the wheels under the curved portions of the body, the overhangin-g parts oftthe body also serve as mud-guards for "the wheels.

Fixed to the inner upper edges of the sides 20 of the body, are rails 30 provided at their opposite ends at the' front and rear of the vehicle, with slots 31 having upwardly opening entrances 32, and fixed to and projecting from the lower edge of the rail and in advance of and opening toward the slots, are hooks 33. A seat 34, is provided, and has suitably arranged pins 35 and 36 at its front and rear corners to engage, respectively, the hooks 33 and slots 31 of the side rails 30. Beyond the hooks 33, the rails 30vare also provided in their upper edges with notches 37 to receive hooks 38 on the upper corners of a foot rest 39 connected with the front of the seat 34 by a flexible connection or apron 40. rllhe rail 30 is also provided with a centrally arranged elongated slot 41 to receive the locking joint 42 of a folding canopy or hood 43, which joint 42 is capable of being shifted in the slot 41, so that the canopy or hood may be used at the front or rear of the vehicle. rThe body isalso provided with a handle 44. pivoted, as at 45, to the end extension 24, and adapted to be folded inwardly upon the body of the vehicle over the said rear end extension. To secure the handle in operative position, hooks 46, or other suitable fastenings, are fixed to the `rear end 21 of the lower portion of the body and adapted to engage openings 47 -or other suitable fastenings in or on the side bars of the handle.

The body, preferably, is mounted upon the axles by means of springs interposed between the body and axles, and as more particularly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the axles are provided near their opposite ends with upwardly projecting posts 49, riveted or otherwise secured thereto, and fitted upon said posts are coiled springs 50, the posts and springs extending through'openings 51 in the bottom of the body and into housings 52 secured in the corners of the hinges of the rear .57 are mounted upon body, the posts 49 projecting through the tops of the housings and provided with transverse pin 53 serving as stops to prevent the body from coming off of said posts,r the springs lserving as a yielding or cushioning support for the body.

In the modified form of body shown in Fig. 11, where the inwardly curved portion of the body extends entirely across the body, the axles are provided with posts 54 riveted or otherwise secured to the axles near their opposite ends, and secured to the underside of the body at the front and rear are brackets 55 having outwardly projecting perforated ears 56, through which the posts 5-1 pass and are guided, and springs the posts 5i between the lowermost ears of the brackets and the axles, any suitable pins being fitted in. the upper ends of the posts to prevent the brackets from becoming disengaged from the posts.

In Fig. l-.t I have shown a flat spring, of S form interposed between and. riveted to the body and a-Xles, as at 58.`

In Fig. 15 of U-shape, with an interposed coiled spring 60, arranged between the body and axles, and secured in place as by riveting or other- In Fig. 16, I have shown a flat spring having U- haped ends 61 connected by an archedor bowed portion 62 interposed between the body and axles and secured to the body and axles by riveting or otherwise.

The body of the vehicle may be constructed of thin sheet metal or of any other suitable or desired material, and may be upholstered in any fashion or style well known in the art to suit the manufacturer or trade.

The vehicle may be provided with .a brake and operating mechanism, as shown at 63, Fig. 1, of any suitable well known construction and arrangement.

Then t-he cart is used for wheeling a child upon the street and the occupant does not require protection from winds, etc., the extension sides 23 may be folded down upon the sides of the bodv, and if the child is occupying the rear of the vehicle, the front end extension folded inward, but if it is found necessary to protect the child from winds and other disturbing elements, the extension sides and ends may be fixed in their extended or up position. Or, either one of the side extensions may befolded down while thebther remains in its up position, when it is desired to protect the child from wind from one side orl the other of the vehicle.

Should the child fall asleep while sitting upon the seat and it be desired to place the child in a sleeping or comfortable reclining position in the vehicle, the attendant has simply to remove the hooks 38 of the foot 4the slots 31 and reversing Ihave shown a flatspring 59,

.adjusted to suit conditions,

rest from the notches 37 in rails 30 and drop the foot rest, and place the hand under the child and slightly lift the seat and by a backward movement disengage the pins 36 from the hooks 33 and let the seat with the child thereon drop to an inclined or reclining position, thus Achanging the child from a sitting position to a comfortable sleeping position, without lifting it from the vehicle and without disturbing the child Asufficiently to awa-ken it.

The seat may be removed and placed either at the rear or front of the vehicle, by simply sliding the seat backward and ifting its rear end so that the pins 35 will pass through the entrance openings 32 of the parts of the seat and properly engaging the pins 35 and 36 with their respective slots 31 and hooks 33 of the rails 30, at whichever end of the cart it is desired to place the seat. If it is not desired to use the foot rest 39, it may be disengaged from the rails 30 and folded under the seat out of the way. The hood or canopy 4.3 may be adjusted and fastened in the slot 41 for use at the rear or front of the cart as desired. 4

When it is desired to use the cart indoors as a crib, the hood or canopy 43 may be removed, and the extension sides and ends and if the cart an ordinary bed, one of the extension sides only, say the one next to the bed, may be let down, as in Fig. 10, the other extension side and the extension ends serving as a guard to prevent the child from falling out of the crib or cart, the open side making it very easy for the childs mother or nurse occupying the bed to reach the child in case it needs attention.

When it is desired to transport or pack the cart, or to carry it from place to place when not in use, the extension sides Q3 are folded down upon the outside of the body and engaged by the catches 23 toprevent them from swinging (1r-flapping against the sides of the body, or as in the modification shown in Figs. 12 and 13, said extension sides may be folded inwardly over the body of the` cart, after folding in the hood, and the extension ends 24 folded inward over the body, and the handle 4-1 then folded in over the extension ends, or sides and ends, as the case may be. The cart as thus far folded is shown in Fig. 13. The wheels are then unlocked by rocking the locking bar 16 and disengaging its ends 19 from the ends of the stub-axles, and the stubaxles then turned downward upon their pivot bolts 8 thus bringing the wheels to a horizontal position beneath the axles, and

is used alongside of the wheels then shoved inwardly under thev body of the vehicle until the pivot bolts 8 reach the inner ends of the slots 3 and Il, the wheels passing and overlying each other at their inner sides and the outer sides of the wheels passing well under the sides of the body and out of the way. The cart as thus completely folded is shown in Fig. 9, and in this folded condition, the cart is made very compact for packino` and transportation, and may readily and conveniently be carried from place to place.

When the cart is indoors and not in use, it may be folded as shown in Fig. 13, and wheeled from place to place, and in this folded condition-may be put in any convenient place, such as a closet or corner, out of the way, or it may be wheeled under a bed and be out of sight and thus will not occupy space which it may be desired to use otherwise; but when it is desired to pack or transport the cart, the wheels may be folded in under the body, as shown in Fig. 9.

The parts of the vehicle are susceptible of various changes or alterations, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. In a go-cart, the combination with'the body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section, stub-axles fitted in the ends of said axles, and wheels mounted on said stub-axles, said lstub-axles adapted to be turned downwardly and slid inwardly toward the center of said axles to bring the wheels under the body, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, and means for connecting said body and axles. i

2. In a go-cart, the combination with the body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section, stub-axles havin block-shaped inner ends fitted to turn and slide in the ends of sai daxles, wheels mounted upon said stub-axles, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, and means for connecting the body with said axles, said stub-axles adapted to be turned downward and slid inward toward the center of said axles to bring the wheels under the body.

3. In a. go-cart, the combination with the body, ofa running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section having slots in their sides at opposite ends, stub-axles having block-shaped inner ends fitted in the ends of said axles, bolts passing through said slots and the block-shaped ends of the stub-axles and pivotally and slidably securing said stub-axles in place, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, and means for connecting the body and axlies, said stub-axles adapted to be released an turned downwardly and moved inrimase wardly toward the center of the axles to bring the wheels to a horizontal position under the body.

4f. In a go-cart, the combination with the body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section having slots in their sides at opposite ends extending from near the ends of the axles to about the centers thereof stub-axles having block-shaped inner ends fitted in said axles, bolts passing through said slots and the block-shaped ends of the stub-axles and pivotally and slidably securing said stub-axles in place, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, and means for connectin the body with the front and rear axles, saistub-axles adapted to be released and turn downwardly and moved inwardly toward the centers of the axles to bring the wheels to a horizontal position under the body and beyond the sides of the body and overlapping each other at their inner sides.

5. In a go-cart, the combination with the body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section having slots in their sides at opposite ends, stub-axles having block-shaped inner ends fitted in said axles, bolts passing through said slots and the block-shaped ends of said stub-axles and pivotally and slidably securing the stubaxles in place, wheels mounted on said stubaxles,. longitudinal side rods operatively connecting the stub-axles of the front and rear axles, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, and means for connecting the body with the front and rear axles, said stub-axles upon opposite sides of the Abody adapted to be released and simultaneously turned downwardly and moved inwardly toward the centers of the axles to bring the wheels to a horizontal position under the body. i

6. In a go-cart, the combination with a body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section having slots in their sides at opposite ends and provided with notches in their upper ends, stub-axles having block-shaped inner ends fitted in said axles, bolts passing through said slots and the blocleshaped ends of the stub-axles and pivotally and slidably connecting said stub-axles in said axles,- wheels mounted upon said stub-axles, longitudinal side rods operatively connecting the stub-axles of the front and rear axles and having upturned ends passing through and projecting beyond the stub-axles and engaging the notches in the ends of the axles when the stub-axles are in operative position,- means for locking the stu -axles in operative position, and means for connecting the body with the front and rear axles, said stub-axles adapted to notches operative position,

be released and simultaneously turned downwardly and moved inwardly toward the centers of the axles to bring the wheels to a horizontal position under the body.

7. In a g'o-cart, the combination with the body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in -cross-section having slots in their sides atopposite ends and provided with notches in their upper ends, stub-axles having block-shaped inner ends iitted in said axles, bolts passing through said slots and the block-shaped ends of the stub-axles and pivotally and slidably .securing said stub-axles in place, wheels mounted on said stub-axles, longitudinal side rods operatively' connecting the stub-axles of the front and rear axles and having upturned ends passing through and projecting beyond the stub-axles and engaging the in theends of the axles when the stub-axles are in operative position, a rocking bar mounted upon one of said axles and having ,off-standing ends adapted to engage the stubaxles to lock them in position of use, and 4means for connecting the body with the front and rear axles, said stub-axles adapted to be released by rocking said locking bar and simultaneously turned downwardly and moved inwardly toward the centers of the axles to `bring the wheels to a horizontal position under the body.

8. In a go-cart, the combination with the body, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section having slots in their sides at opposite ends and provided with notches in their upper ends, stub-axles having block-shaped inner ends fitted in said axles, bolts passing through said slots and the block-shaped ends of the stub-axles and pivotally' and slidably securing the stubaxles in place, wheels' mounted on said stubaxles, longitudinal side rods operatively connecting the stub-axles of the front and rear axles and having upturned ends passing through and projecting beyond` the stub-axles and engaging the notches in the ends of the axles when the stub-axles are in a rocking bar centrally mounted upon one of said axles and slidably engaged and supported by the stub-axle bolts and having oii'standing ends adapted to engage the stub-axles to lock them in position of use, and means for connecting the body with the front and rear axles, said stub-axles adapted to be released by rocking said locking bar and simultaneously turned downwardly and moved inwardly toward the centers of the axles to bring the wheels to a horizontal position under the body.

9. In a ,go-cart, the combination with the body, of a running gear, comprising front. and rear axles of inverted box-like or chansaid body upon said axles.

10. In a go-cart, the combination with the body, oef a running gear, `comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross section, stub axles iitted in the ends of said axles, and wheels mounted thereon, said stub-axles adapted to be turned downwardly and slid inwardly `toward the centers of said axles to bring the wheels under the body, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, posts fixed on said axles, coiled springs on said posts, housing on said body into which said posts and springs enter, and means for securing said posts in said housings to yieldingly support said body upon the axles.

11. In a go-cart, the combination with the body having folding sides and ends, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section, stub-axles fitted in the ends of said axles, and wheels mounted thereon, said stub-axles adapted to be turned downwardly and slid inwardly toward the centers of said axles to bring the wheels under the body, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, and means for connecting said body and axles. p

12. In a go-cart, the combination with the body having folding sides and ends, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section, stub-axles fitted in the ends of said axles, and wheels mounted thereon, said stub-axles adapted to be turned downwardly and slid inwardly toward the centers of said axles to bring the wheels under the body, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, means for connecting said body and axles, and a folding hood and means for adjustably connecting the hood to the body so that it may be adjusted for use at either end of the cart.

13. In a go-cart, the combination with the body having folding sides and ends, of a running gear, comprising front and rear axles of inverted box-like or channel shape in cross-section, stub-axles fitted in the ends of said axles, and wheels mounted on said stub axles, said stub axles adapted to .be turned downwardly and slid inwardly toward the centers of the axles to bring the wheels under the body, means for locking the stub-axles in operative position, means for connecting said body and axles, a folding hood and means for adjustably connecting the hood tothe body so that it 'may be armena adjusted for use at either end of the cart, and a folding handle and means for locking it in position of use.

14. In a go-cart, a body having fixedsides and ends and infolding front and rear extension ends, and hinged extension sides adapted to be folded inwardly over the body or outwardly and downwardly upon the sides of the body, and means for locking the sides and ends in their extended position.

15. In a go-cart, a body having fixed sides and ends and infolding front and rear extension ends, and outwardly fold-ing side extensions, catches on the body for engaging the outwardly folding side extensions to lock them in folded position against the sides of the body.

16. In a go-cart, a body having its bottom at front and rear constructed with inwardly extended clearance spaces for the wheels, and outwardly folding side extensions on said body adapted to be folded down upon the sides of the body and over said spaces and the wheels therein.

17. In a go-cart, a body having rails upon its inner opposite sides extending from end to end and provided at their opposite ends with slots, hooks on said rails beyond said slots, and a seat having pins. engaging said slots and hooks to support said seat in a horizontal position and permitting said seat to be moved to disengage its pins from said hooks, whereby the seat may be adjusted to a recliningposition.

18. In a go-cart, a body having rails upon its inner opposite sides extending from end to end of the body and provided at their -yond said slots, and a seat having pins engagingsaid slots and hooks to support said seat in a horizontal position and permitting said seat to be moved to disengage its pins from said hooks, whereby said seat may be adjusted to a reclining position, and also removed from said slots and placed at either end of the cart.

19. In a go-cart, a body having rails upon its inner opposite sides extending from end to end of the body and provided at their opposite ends with slots havin@ upwardly opening entrances, hooks on sald rails beyond said slots, and notches in the upper side of the rails between said hooks, a seat having pins engaging saidv slots and lhooks to support said seat in a horizontal position and permitting said seat to be moved to disengage its pins from said hooks, whereby the seat may be dropped to a reclining posi tion, and also removed from said slots and hooks and placed at either end of the cart, and afoot rest fiexibly connected with said seat and removably supported in the notches in the upper sides of the rails.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of December 1914i.

JOHN HUDRY. Witnesses P. G. HnmnNREIcH, C. lF. REICH.

sol 

